Local News

A decision has been made on British Steel’s proposal for an electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Scunthorpe steelworks. Planning permission has been granted by councillors. The vote was tied, four-apiece, leaving chair Cllr Nigel Sherwood’s casting vote to decide. He saw no planning grounds to refuse it. The EAF could be up and running as early as December 2025. The blast furnaces will continue running until the EAF is fully operational. Read More: A special North Lincolnshire Council planning meeting was held today to decide on the application. British Steel plans £1.25bn investment to become more green and sustainable, replacing its two Scunthorpe coke blast furnaces, with EAFs. One, in Teesside, had already gained planning permission earlier this year. Unions have previously warned of four-figure job losses at Scunthorpe if the plan proceeded. The steelworks currently employ more than 3,200 people. An EAF re-uses scrap steel to create new material. It reduces the demand for raw materials. The future closure of the blast furnaces in Scunthorpe, though, will result in the UK losing the ability to make virgin steel. More to follow. Want to sign up to the Scunthorpe newsletter, but can’t access the link below? Click here. Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

A mum-of-two who has suffered with years of anxiety and struggled even with the thought of leaving the house to attend maternity appointments has praised the specialist team who made all the difference to her pregnancy experience. India Russell, of Redbourne, in North Lincolnshire, had her second son at home in November, with her pregnancy journey overseen by the midwifery team based in Brigg and at Scunthorpe Hospital. India, 29, said: “I have suffered with anxiety for about ten years, it’s sort of an on-going thing. “When I had my first child, I came off my medication and I seemed to cope quite well with everything. I had my second son in November and when I came off my medication, I suffered quite significantly and went into a bit of a hole. READ MORE: “I live on a farm, so I am very rural, and it’s quite isolated. I got to a point where I was struggling to leave the house.” India’s first son arrived very quickly – “he was born in half an hour on the bathroom floor” – and her midwives wanted to make sure everything was well, second time around. “A midwife called Louise, at Brigg, immediately put me at my ease from the moment I walked through the door. It was obviously evident to her I was having a real struggle just getting in the place.” Leanne Ellis and Lyndsey Hackett, Perinatal Mental Health Midwives with Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (Image: Humber Health Partnership) India had to go for a scan at Scunthorpe where she said another midwife, Leanne, was able to support and reassure her through the process. “She knew how apprehensive I was.” India said: “Louise and Leanne both did as much as they possibly could to help me. The first time I went through my pregnancy I don’t think I emphasised the severity of my situation. “This second time I was able to be completely open and truthful about my situation. I literally can’t tell you what a difference they made; Louise and Leanne especially just completely got it and understood the kind of situation I was in.” India was speaking in support of a special campaign that is running throughout this week. Perinatal Mental Health Midwives of the Humber Health Partnership – made up of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – are urging anyone who is pregnant not to suffer in silence, and instead to reach out, as part of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs until Sunday, May 5. The week includes a drop-in to the meet team members, on the morning of Thursday, May 2, at the Antenatal clinic, Scunthorpe Hospital. Further information can also be found at everymummatters.com and via the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership website at maternalmentalhealthalliance.org Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our . Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

A 30,000-strong petition calling on support for UK steel has been handed to local Scunthorpe politicians. They met with steelworks and Unite trade union members in the town on Friday at Cafe Indie. The petition landmark comes as decision day on British Steel’s proposal for an electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Scunthorpe site draws nearer. North Lincolnshire Council‘s planning committee will decide on the EAF planning application on Tuesday afternoon. If approved, it could be up and running as soon as December 2025. Read More: The petition event was attended by Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Scunthorpe County, Sir Nic Dakin. Scunthorpe’s Conservative MP, Holly Mumby-Croft, was also invited. Unite’s Save UK Steel petition is the latest in a series of campaign initiatives by the union to raise the profile of the industry to the forefront of politician’s minds. ‘Steel Not For Sale’ signs were temporarily placed in Scunthorpe people’s gardens and streets and a protest was held by Unite and PCS unions against Scunthorpe’s potential steelworks changes outside the town’s job centre in February. Unite also launched a digital billboard campaign in Scunthorpe calling on politicians to reverse the industry’s decline in September. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The UK government’s lack of support or any long-term plan for steel is putting a sector which can and should have a bright future at risk. The public and steelworkers know there is another better way forward. “In Germany, France and the Netherlands capacity is being retained and jobs protected as the sector transitions to green steel.” She welcomed Labour’s plan to invest £3bn if it takes power at the general election. Want to sign up to the Scunthorpe newsletter, but can’t access the link below? Click here . “The demand for steel is expected to increase ten-fold over the coming years and the UK is perfectly placed to become a global leader in its production – if the right choices are made. Unite will not stop campaigning until they are.” “It resembles the 80s when the coal mines were closed and communities suffered as a result,” said Steve, owner of Lucky Tuppence confectionary, about the steel industry. “Scunthorpe is suffering the same fate, and the town will die if the steel plant dwindles away. We must fight every step of the way to save UK steel. We need our infrastructure to use 100 per cent of UK steel as well as to build our defences.” The UK government has already offered £300m of investment to British Steel to aid its £1.25bn transformation plans to be more sustainable. Talks between British Steel‘s owners, Jingye, and the Government have also continued since. A similar support package of £500m, has also been agreed by the government to support Tata Steel’s transition to electric in Port Talbot. Labour Cllr Judith Matthews and parliamentary candidate Sir Nic Dakin on the left receive the Unite petition (Image: Unite) British Steel’s Scunthorpe proposal is to replace its coke blast furnaces with electric arc furnaces, one in Teesside, one in Scunthorpe. The Teesside EAF has already received planning approval. Scunthorpe’s is recommended for conditional approval by planning officers. The special planning meeting has been prompted by Cllr Tony Ellerby’s call-in of the decision on significant public interest grounds. Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

A North Lincolnshire dad who was diagnosed with bowel cancer after having no symptoms whatsoever has credited a simple screening test that arrived through the post for saving his life. Dave Marshall, 56, from Messingham, said he initially “put off” doing the NHS test for bowel cancer after it was posted to him. In November last year, the minimum age for receiving routine bowel cancer screening tests every two years was lowered from 60 to 54. After his wife encouraged him to do the test, Dave subsequently received a letter informing him that he was being referred for a colonoscopy, a test which checks the inside of the bowels. READ MORE: I’ve been very lucky, I think someone up there must be looking after me. Several weeks later, Dave was given the “devastating” news that he had bowel cancer, and was forced to break the news to his wife and two daughters. Speaking to Scunthorpe Live, Dave said: “I’d had no symptoms whatsoever and I felt absolutely fine. I put off doing the test at first but my wife encouraged me to do it, so I sent it off. About a week later, I got a letter to say that something wasn’t quite right and was referred for a colonoscopy. The British Steel employee has credited the test for saving his life (Image: Submitted) “A few weeks after that, I had a call from Scunthorpe General Hospital asking me to go in, but I didn’t think anything of it and I went in on my own. I said to my wife, ‘it’ll be nothing’. “Doctors told me they were very sorry but that I had bowel cancer. Anybody that hears that automatically thinks, ‘I’m going to die, this is the end’. I was devastated. “I was told there was blood in my stools, but I never noticed it. I didn’t have stomach ache or anything and there were no changes to my bowel habits, so it was a big shock. The worst thing was telling my family. I’ve got two daughters and I explained to them that I’d be fine, but I just didn’t know.” Dave underwent surgery to remove the tumour (Image: Submitted) Two months after his diagnosis, in November last year, Dave underwent surgery to remove the tumour in his bowel. Luckily, because the cancer was caught early, he did not require any further treatment. He now credits the screening test that arrived through the post as the thing that saved his life, and is encouraging everyone who receives the tests to do them, and for anyone with symptoms of bowel cancer to pay a visit to their GP. “It just goes to show how important these tests are,” Dave said. “They’re brilliant, so my advice to anyone would be not to discard them. Doctors told me that because bowel cancer is such a slow illness, if I hadn’t done the test, it could’ve taken another ten years before I started having symptoms, and then it might’ve been a little bit too late and I would’ve needed a lot more treatment. “A lot of men notice something wrong and think, ‘I’ll be alright’, but I’d encourage anyone who is having symptoms or notice a change in their toilet patterns to go straight to their GP. “I’ve been very lucky, and I think someone up there must be looking after me.” Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

A man who was caught with a knife inside Asda, a woman who drove while under the influence of drugs and a man handed a restraining order for stalking all appeared before magistrates in Grimsby last week. While some cases were adjourned to a later date and others sent to Grimsby Crown Court, magistrates still did not hesitate to hand out prison sentences, hefty fines, community orders and driving bans to offenders from across northern Lincolnshire. Here are several offenders who have appeared at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court in recent days. READ MORE: Robert Atkins, 37, of Alder View, Grimsby indicated a plea of guilty to the possession of a Stanley knife inside Asda in Grimsby. He was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to abstain from alcohol for 90 days, given 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service. John Barnes, 28, of Ainslie Street, Grimsby indicated a plea of guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress, in which he sent the victim multiple messages via different social media platforms and attended their address. He was given a two-year restraining order, ordered to comply with a community order and ordered to work for 200 hours unpaid. Grimsby Magistrates Court (Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive) Victoria Harper, 45, of Chadwell Springs, Waltham pleaded guilty to driving whilst under the influence of cocaine and cannabis. She was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a £32 victim services surcharge. Jamie Forbes, 46, of St Denys Close, South Killingholme pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating. He was jailed for 18 weeks. Declan Harrold, 18, of Pelham Road, Immingham pleaded guilty to one count of common assault which took place at Grimsby Institute and criminal damage of two computer screens, a bookcase, a first aid kit, a wall and a door, also at Grimsby Institute. He was handed a community order, ordered to pay £200 in compensation and given 80 hours of unpaid work. Jamie Dyke, 29, of Hargreave Street, Grimsby pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause the victim to believe that immediate unlawful violence would be used against them. He was handed a community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement, ordered to pay £100 in compensation and £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service. Jamie Thornton, 24, of Barlings Avenue, Scunthorpe pleaded guilty to driving whilst above the legal alcohol limit and without due care and attention. He was disqualified from driving for 20 months, fined £576, ordered to pay a £230 victim services surcharge and £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service. Laura McKay, 44, of Dronfield Court, Scunthorpe pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from a shop, in which she stole bacon and cooked meat worth £176 from One Stop, meat products worth £68 from Co-op and chocolate and coffee worth £92 from One Stop. She also pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. She was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to undergo drug rehabilitation. Roy Saunders, 44, of Freeman Street, Grimsby pleaded guilty to stealing joints of meat worth £50 from Marks and Spencer. He was fined £87, ordered to pay £40 in compensation and £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service. Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

Speed cameras will be visiting Ladysmith Road and Cheapside in the coming days. Enforcement officers will also be stationed on the A18 and A161, among other locations across northern Lincolnshire. Drivers can see where the mobile cameras are likely to be situated through the daily enforcement schedule on the Safer Roads Humber website. However, not all locations are listed on the schedule, so motorists should take care and exercise caution when driving in the region. READ MORE: Humberside Police, in partnership with Safer Roads Humber, will be at several other sites throughout the week that are not listed below. Humberside Police reserves the right to enforce speed limits on any road, at any time. Mobile speed cameras will be in the following locations in Scunthorpe and Grimsby areas: MON April 29: A161 Low Burnham TUE April 30: A18 Doncaster Road, Gunness WED May 1: Cheapside, Waltham THURS May 2: A161 Wharf Road, Crowle FRI May 3: Ladysmith Road, Grimsby SAT May 4: Various sites across the region SUN May 5: Various sites across the region For those crossing the Humber Bridge to the North Bank, mobile cameras will be in the following locations: MON April 29: A614 Holme on Spalding Moor TUE April 30: M62 between East Riding boundary and junction 35 WED May 1: B1253 Sledmere THU May 2: Staithes Road, Preston FRI May 3: A614 Snaith Road, Rawcliffe SAT May 4: Various sites across the region SUN May 5: Various sites across the region Read the latest traffic and travel news from Grimsby Live. Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our . Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

An application for a massage parlour in Ashby High Street has been refused, amid multiple claims it is a brothel. North Lincolnshire Council‘s planning committee decided on the application for change of use of residence into a Class E, massage and wellbeing clinic, along with retrospective permission for fencing changes. Planning officers had recommended approval. It was called in by the council leader and a ward councillor because of the allegations. Ashby Central Ward Cllr Andrea Davison detailed the contents of the massage parlour’s website to evidence her claim, “It is absolutely a brothel.” Read More: A planning officer stated at the meeting a late representation had been made by the agent on behalf of the applicant, Serenity Massage. “This set out that they believe no illegal activity is occurring on site.” An application document contends it “will contribute to the vitality and viability of the local parade”. It also states it would offer similar services to other local massage providers. Cllr Davison claimed it was a brothel, as have objectors on the application, which has also had supportive comments. She had checked its website before the meeting. “There was only one picture I could actually print out to show you,” she said in the meeting, showing a photo of a double bed. The rest of the website’s pictures included photos of “near naked girls with see-through underwear”. There are absolutely no male masseurs, Cllr Davison noted, and drew attention to descriptions of the masseurs. One, she claimed, was described on the website as knowing “how to bring out the beast in you”. “I mean, that’s not going to help with a trapped nerve in your neck, is it?” said Cllr Davison. What shops would you like to see on Scunthorpe’s high street? If unable to take part in our poll via the link below, click here. “I just find it quite ludicrous, to be honest, that we are allowing illegal activities in a residential area,” she claimed. Cllr Davison half-seriously suggested a site visit. “Why not do a site visit, and you’d see for yourselves that these rooms are not set up for sports massage.” The ward councillor’s speech followed resident Rachel Colecchia’s concerns about the business’s nature. Ms Colecchia did not call it a brothel, but did reference the website’s contents. “I was born in Ashby, I go to Ashby facilities. I just don’t think this is the type of thing that we want in Ashby.” A letter was read out on behalf of Scunthorpe‘s MP, Holly Mumby-Croft. She morally and socially objected, having had the application raised by concerned residents. “Members of the committee will know that Ashby High Street is frequented by young children and families on a daily basis,” her letter stated. North Lincolnshire Council leader, Cllr Rob Waltham, also spoke. “In simple terms, this is a residential area, a high street that’s well respected, this isn’t an appropriate siting.” He said it was “quite a state to be in, to have a website like that, actively marketing people and not a service, which I think is thoroughly distasteful”. Want to sign up to the Scunthorpe newsletter, but can’t access the link below? Click here. “I think the pictures of the facilities on the website sort of almost tell you what it is,” said Cllr John Davison, committee member. “It certainly does not look like a proper massage place, with proper massage tables.” He felt it could be refused now, and gave parking and amenity reasons for refusal. Cllr Carol Ross seconded, adding: “I would absolutely refuse to attend a site visit, personally.” Ward Cllr Mick Grant said he had lived in Ashby 70 years. “Ashby High Street is better than what Scunthorpe High Street is, far better.” He said the outer changes would make no difference to Ashby High Street, the only difference it will make is misinformation. “If you do see anything, go to the police,” he urged. It was a shopping, not residential area, and Cllr Grant predicted it would be allowed through if taken to appeal. “I don’t think it will be controversial to say that this site has been an open secret for a number of months now,” Cllr Max Bell said, agreeing to refuse. Cllr Darryl Southern joined Cllr Grant in opposing refusal of the application. He said if it was a brothel, it was a policing matter and not for planning consideration. It was still refused, five votes to two. Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

Police are investigating after reports of “someone trying door handles” in an area of Scunthorpe. Following enquiries made into the incidents, a 17-year-old was arrested and later released on bail. It comes after a “be vigilant” alert was issued by police, following burglaries at two addresses in the same area. A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “We received reports of someone trying door handles on Mendip Road in Scunthorpe last week (Wednesday, April 17). READ MORE: “Following lines of enquiries, a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of 12 counts of burglary. He has since been released on bail with conditions. “Anyone with information or footage that may assist with our enquiries can contact us on our non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference 24*52545. Alternatively you can report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.” A Brumby community policing burglary alert was put out on social media last week that said: “There has been two reports of dwelling burglaries in the Mendip Road area of Scunthorpe which have taken place overnight. Please be vigilant and report anything suspicious on 101 and if it’s a crime in progress call 999. Keep windows and doors locked.” One local resident said they had shared footage with police that they captured late at night of a person in a ski mask, trying their front door, as well as car doors, and looking through car windows. The person could also be seen crouching behind a hedge. The resident said: “I had nothing stolen, but just make sure people lock everything. A car was stolen and there was a break-in down the road.” The resident added it was “unreal” how the person was walking along the road in a balaclava. They said: “It’s not nice for the people who have been left feeling violated and maybe they don’t feel safe in their own home.” Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

A special planning meeting will discuss British Steel’s plans for an electric arc furnace at its Scunthorpe steelworks. North Lincolnshire Council has announced a special meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 30, at 2pm at Church Square House, Scunthorpe, on just British Steel’s application. The company that employs over 3,000 people at the Scunthorpe site proposes to replace its coke blast furnaces with an environmentally friendlier electric arc furnace (EAF). Unions have expressed fears over job losses. Read More: Council leader Cllr Rob Waltham said: “The council’s planning committee will discuss the application for an electric arc furnace at a special meeting next week. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual planning applications, the process is independent of my role. “The council, along with local MP Holly Mumby-Croft, are continuing to work with the Government to protect jobs and steel making in Scunthorpe.” Cllr Waltham referenced ambitions for an advanced manufacturing park on disused steelworks land. This was announced by the council the same November day as British Steel signalled its furnace intentions. “We are continuing to work with British Steel to develop 300-acres of surplus land at the steelworks to harness new technology and create green jobs. Master planning is underway to attract high-paid and high-skilled jobs to the area – using new technologies to create green industry. “There is a massive opportunity to create something new, attracting innovative technology companies here to Scunthorpe on an underdeveloped site of industrial heritage. At the same time as working on this plan we continue to do all we can to protect jobs on the Scunthorpe site.” An artist’s impression of how British Steel’s planned Teesside electric arc furnace will look like (Image: British Steel) British Steel intends to replace Scunthorpe’s coke blast furnaces with one EAF at its steelworks, and another in Teesside. It has already been granted planning permission for the new Teesside furnace. The £1.25bn plan aims to achieve longer-term sustainability and meet net zero carbon goals. An application document has indicated British Steel anticipate the Scunthorpe EAF to be operational by December 2025. The blast furnaces would remain in use until Scunthorpe’s EAF is fully operational. Unions have previously warned of four-figure job losses at Scunthorpe if the plan proceeds. The EAF application states the Scunthorpe site employs 3,230 people, currently. In “proposed employees” for after the proposed application, the form’s boxes are blank. Want to sign up to the Scunthorpe newsletter, but can’t access the link below? Click here. An EAF re-uses scrap steel to create new material. It reduces the demand for raw materials. The closure of the blast furnaces in Scunthorpe, though, will result in the UK losing the ability to make virgin steel. British Steel recently won a major Egypt rail contract, to produce 9,500 tonnes of track, for the country’s first fully electrified mainline and freight network. It is being produced at the Scunthorpe site. Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

Trent View Medical Practice will reopen tomorrow following the sudden closure of all three branches on Friday. No reason was given at the time, prompting concern among patients, but the practice, which has branches in Keadby, Crowle and Skippingdale in Scunthorpe, has now released a statement explaining the situation. A statement from Business Manager Michelle Simms on the practice Facebook page tonight reads: “On Friday 19 April 2024 around 1.30pm, the Practice was notified by Humberside Police that they had received intelligence of a threat to Trent View Medical Practice (TVMP). READ MORE: “The details were non-specific regarding location so for health, safety and wellbeing of staff and patients, the Practice decided to close all three sites immediately. We were asked not to give any details or reason for the immediate closure other than to indicate ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’ “Following a thorough assessment and review of the situation a decision has been made to reopen TVMPs three surgeries effective from 8.00am on Monday 22 April 2024. The situation highlights the real issues faced by frontline NHS workers on a day to day basis and the implications for patients. ” The Team will endeavour to rearrange any cancelled appointments because of the emergency closure as soon as practicable. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to return to normal and be assured the practice continues to be committed to providing a high standard of primary care services at all locations.” Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe